e, while his captors were pursuing us.

The natives were delighted with the things we brought them, and we could
have laden our boat up to the gunwale with the articles they offered in
return.

Wishing our friends good-bye, and promising that we would as soon as
possible pay them another visit, we pulled back to the brig.

In three days we reached the Aru islands, seldom visited by English
vessels, and brought up before the chief town Dobbo, which is, however,
only a collection of huts such as those described in Papua and Borneo,
though of a more substantial character. The population of the islands
are mostly Papuans, though people from various other parts of the
Eastern seas have settled there. The islands are generally level, and
thickly wooded, the forests containing amongst other birds two or three
of the most beautiful species of birds of paradise.

The "Iris" was almost ready to sail, so that we remained there but a
couple of days, when, threading our way among the coral reefs, we once
more got into the open sea.

I should have been happy to give a further description of our voyage and
our visit to Timor, where we anchored to obtain fresh provisions. We
then shaped our course along the south coast of Java, and then, crossing
the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope; after which we had a
remarkably fine passage home, and, strange to say, did not once lose
sight of the "Iris."

Whether Uncle Jack had anything to do with this I can only guess. I
know that he told me to keep a bright look-out for her whenever he was
below, and report to him any change in her position. The "Iris" led the
way up the Thames. Immediately she dropped her anchor, before going
into dock, Uncle Jack and my father went on board and arranged a plan
with Grace for breaking the news of his return to my mother; she and
Mrs Bingley at once went on shore promising to act with due discretion.
I have every reason to believe they carried out their duty well, for
when I arrived at home a few hours after my father, I found my mother
looking the picture of happiness, and almost as calm and composed as
usual.

I have not entered into the trading particulars of the voyages of the
two vessels, but both were considered highly satisfactory. It was the
first of several I made on board the brig to the same region, the mate
of the "Lily" being now her captain.

In the next voyage my Aunt Grace, now Uncle Jack's wife, accompanied
him. He h